Davis mum on Browns' starting QB

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns coach Butch Davis isn't saying if he's
going to start the quarterback with the broken leg or the one with
the battered confidence.

Davis wouldn't announce Wednesday whether Kelly Holcomb or Tim
Couch will be the starter Sunday at New England.

"We'll have an update probably some time, 12 o'clock on
Sunday," Davis said. "Stay tuned."

And so, Cleveland's never-ending soap opera at quarterback
continues.

On Monday, Davis said he would make his decision by midweek. He
had wanted to first check on the health of Holcomb, who made his
first appearance in a game last week since breaking his right leg
on Sept. 21 at San Francisco.

Holcomb came off the bench to relieve Couch late in the third
quarter of Sunday's loss to San Diego.

Holcomb said he has improved but isn't 100 percent. He also
revealed that he has torn ligaments in his right ankle -- an injury
that until now went unreported by the team.

Holcomb talked to the media before practice, perhaps a sign that
he'll make his first start in five weeks.

"My leg feels 100 percent better than it did last week," said
Holcomb, who seemed to have an extra bounce in his step during the
portion of practice open to reporters. "There's still a little bit
of soreness in there, but it's getting better."

Although Holcomb wasn't completely healed last week, that didn't
stop Davis from bringing him in after Couch threw the second of two
costly interceptions.

Holcomb threw a pair of TD passes in the fourth quarter to get
Cleveland within three points before San Diego kicked a late field
goal for a 26-20 win.

On Monday, Davis acknowledged that he had put Holcomb at risk by
putting him in before he was completely recovered.

Holcomb didn't complain and never questioned whether he was
jeopardizing his season by getting hurt worse.

"You don't think about that," he said. "You take a risk every
time you step on the field. You never know what's going to happen.
They told me to go in, so I did."

Holcomb said he's ready if the Browns need him again.

"I think I can run the offense," he said. "I don't think I
can run well. Another week would help, but I'm ready. If I'm called
upon, then you gotta go in there and you gotta play."